Hello!
Welcome to my Japan / taiko blog!This is a place where I will share my thoughts and experiences of my incredible Taiko trip to Japan!
But first I thought I'd tell you how it all began.....
I first got into taiko when I lived in Kyoto for a year as a high school exchange student. I fell in love the moment I saw my first performance. I loved the mix of rhythm and movement, and it was a fun way for me to do something 'cultural' and musical while I was there.
When I came home my friend Lianne (who had done exactly the same exchange as me) both pined for taiko. So we started a group at our University.... check it out at http://www.waitaiko.com/
But after 9 years of teaching, leading, running the group, I was tired...and had lost my mojo for taiko. I didn't really know how to improve when we are stuck here in NZ so far away! We have a pretty good collection of groups here now, but I just felt...like I needed to grow and also understand taiko better. When I was in Japan I had no idea I would start a group so didn't pay attention to things like (how do they teach strike, what is traditional taiko like, what do they do at summer festivals etc). ...
But....when Wa San Bon graced us with their awe-inspiring presence in February I felt like I had died and met some taiko angels. These guys gave taiko the spirit, emotion and grace in a way I had never seen before. It was amazing watching them play and to see the rhythms spill from them so perfectly and joyfully.
I was inspired to say the least.
And so, in approximately one month I decided that I would try and get to Japan to learn more of taiko - to observe it in its natural habitat.
I found some awesome workshops, checked out festivals, performances, everything I could manage to cram into 3 weeks.
Many hurdles and obstacles later (funding, getting leave from work, organising everything...)
I was successful in landing a spot in the Tokara Wadaiko Bootcamp, and was awarded scholarships from AsiaNZ and the Sasakawa Foundation for my trip.
After a very hectic (and rather stressful) time of planning, organising, and praying(!) it had all come together!!
I was off to Japan to live the taiko dream......
:)
